Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Part of the Nursing application is to get a Level 2 First Aid certificate. It's a 14.5 hour course and that may not seem like a long time, but it was. Today was day 1 of the 2 day course and it was so stressful that I wanted to stab myself in the eye just to be done with it.

The lecturer is awesome, but if she made less jokes and got on with the courseware, I'm pretty sure we'd be spared 3 hours. When I have something to do the next day, I get anxiety and can't sleep properly. I woke up at 3am this morning and listened to ZB Talkback re: NZ Immigration and similar stories to Larrys situation (a dude is being deported from NZ for being 2 marks over the average BMI for his age becoming a health risk and reliant on the NZ Health System - which costs money NZ doesn't want to pay for him) I couldn't get back to sleep easily. When I did fall asleep at 6am I dreamed that we went to a Pub for the course and I couldn't find a babysitter so had to take the child with me.

Long day calls for an early night.
Glad Day 2 is only 5 hours long and not 9.5.
I'm still coming to terms with how draining it was today.

Then there's this.
MAC is protesting that unregistered players played during the MAC vs Havelock game. I think there's a chance it could go in MACS favor, but at this point .. the season is over and not too many players turned up to lastnights 'meeting'.
As you can see .. only loyal Demps.

Monday, July 29, 2013

By looking at the pictures it's all pretty self explanatory what kept her occupied today. There was laundry to be done and her keeping busy was essential to completing laundry duties.
Her teeth have moved into a good position after her divorce from the binky.
Tyler dyed her hair chestnut brown that looks ginger-brown.
When she couldn't figure out the puzzles, she tried to throw them in the fire.
She eats chalk (Pica?). Larry had Pica during his illness (Pagophagia). He liked to sniff Vicks vapor rub and always wanted ice. This chalk is edible so safe in the event of consumption. Tastes almost like a childs chewable multi-vitamin. Thanks American eBay.
"My eye slash is stitchy!""Stitchy or itchy?"
"STITCHY! I need vicks."
She thinks vicks cures all.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

MAC beat Clive yesterday in a killer game 33 - 0. Unfortunately, Hastings lost to Taradale 28-39 outting MAC from the semi-finals. It's all good. They haven't been this high up the points table in a while and it was an awesome season regardless.
Dre is a personal favorite as far as kicking is concerned.
Nice take down from Willie B.
Good last game. Now what do I do with my Saturdays?
Le Brats.
Crusaders lost to the Chiefs lastnight, but the game was epic and the score was 20-19. Maybe if McCaw played for 80 minutes, and not 13, they wouldn't be depressed today.
Oh well.
NZ Warriors beat Melbourne Storm this afternoon in an awesome game. I wanted to leave church early to catch the beginning, but it wasn't so.

So I don't speak at church. I always say no because public speaking scares me and my Stake Pres. from our last ward told me that saying no was ok if it was that big of a fear for me. The last time I spoke at church, I was 16 years old and heading back for my 2nd year at boarding school. I was so nervous I said, "In Jacob 2nd Nephi". My cousin Emma still laughs about it and when I retell the story, I still feel dread. So when my brothers bestfriend, who is the 2nd counsellor in our ward AND very well knows I don't like public speaking, called me up to say the opening prayer I basically freaked out for 3 verses of I am a Child of God. Can't even remember what I said, if I repeated myself or what .. but I managed to stand on his foot and pinch his arm on the way back down to my pew. This was where Larry came to my rescue. Several times at church he'd spoken on both our behalves and alot of times he was the last minute speaker for someone who was a no show. His brain is a library of knowledge on everything.

... but the one thing I love about our ward that made me forget what I did or didn't say in my opening prayer, was an Uncle who said the NZ Temple was built in 2022 and that we all came from the pre-mental existence. It's little moments like that, things that make people smile during sacrament meeting, that brings me that much closer to actually getting up there one day and fulfilling an assignment. I appreciated him and his talk today. He made my Sunday!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

The sun is out today. It's a good day to take kids out and since we have a bunch of them, thanks Michelle for going to Time Out for Women in Auckland, we need to make use of the day because kids will not exist at 3pm and then again at 7.30pm.

MAC need to win today's game and it should be an easy game because they're playing the bottom of the table. What's needed more than that is for Hastings to beat Taradale this afternoon. It's possible and that's the game I'd prefer to go to watch today. Should Hastings win, it will secure MACs place in the semis.

Having a D&M with my nieces this morning. I told stories one of them probably wasn't ready for. I gave that same one the birds & the bees talk over fish n chips few months ago. I used a cup and a sausage to reenact answers to her questions and although she couldn't finish her dinner, she appreciated the tea-time-education. We lingered in between talking about The City of Enoch and wisdom teeth this AM.

None of it connected and we neglected the baby asking for breakfast for that 45 minutes. Always good to start your Saturday off with an Anya Marina waiata.

Party at mine tonight for the Crusaders vs Chiefs game.
I'm so excited and will cry if they lose.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Skyping with The Livian. Can barely see us 4 trying to fit into the picture for a goodbye smile in the corner. That 30 days went quick and his 10 days home will be even quicker. It always happens like that.

Michelle will get her groove back next weekend. What a shame you're going to pick him up with your 10 kids!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

I utilize Dream Moods.com alot and the interpretations are near spot on. Last night I dreamed Larry called an Aunty of mine, who never ever met him at all, and when she gave me the phone he asked where I was and why I hadn't visited him.

... yeah, dream moods can't interpret that one for me.

I thought maybe it was because I don't visit his grave, but we shared the opinion that no one is there but a decaying host. I can't remember which Church Authority had a talk about this, but author Harriet Beecher Stowe said, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone". I'm happy knowing my last words to him and his to me were perfect for defeating grief.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Missed MAC rugby on Saturday, but that was ok. They lost. I don't have much to say about that game, but the Crusaders killed the Reds on Saturday night. Richie McCaw played after his sabbatical .. wasn't worth the wait though. He only played 15 minutes (65 minutes in), and his team had already smoked the Reds by then. Crusaders defense was tenacious, Reds had no hope and even though NZ booed you every time you got the ball Quade Cooper, I'm still a fan.

I have my fingers crossed for a Crusaders vs Chiefs final .. and I want to go to Hamilton to watch, but I really do think I have the better seat from the couch with the addition of unlimited free milos.

We've been greeted by a series of earthquakes upon our arrival home from Auckland. Sitting in the car outside of McDonalds, yip broke the sabbath today for a Big Mac, we felt the 6.5'er. The car moved slowly and I thought it was one of my compadres moving their feet. There have been 90+ quakes since 6pm tonight and they're still coming. They're ranging from 3s to 6s on the Richter. There's been structural damage in Wellington, but nothing big here yet. Might sleep under the table tonight.

Unloaded the cameras tonight.
The Twins.
Hubba and big cousin Larell.
This boy is lucky I'm his Aunty and I have to love him because if he wasn't, I wouldn't. Miss him though. Despite his tandy yesterday at the markets where the Samoan man begged us to whack him, his kisses are silky smooth!
At Hunters.
The best part of the trip was the night markets my sister has been telling me about for a few months. I'd go back every Friday just for those markets.
$2 bags of tomatoes. Usually, in Pak n Save, they're $13 a bag in winter.
Came home to the Farm.
Meet Salty-Boy.
He's Peppers boyfriend.
He's a Kuni-Kuni.
Happy to be home, but wish we stayed longer. This trip was a better trip than the Feb trip .. I'm not sure why exactly. Maybe it was because my Mum came too. Sister will pop her baby in 7 weeks .. maybe I'll go up then. MAYBE.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Martha's Backyard is the USA shop in Mt. Wellington I blogged about a few weeks back. I went today to check it out and holy crap, day light robbery.

A bottle of Tums I absolutely know are no more that $5 at Walmart was $25. A, I think gallon, bottle of Franks Hot Sauce is $40. A single pack of Ramen is $1. A tiny tin of salsa verde, $4. $8 a bottle for hidden valley ranch. A 12 pack of soda, $19. A box of apple jacks, $16.

With those prices, it's time to make do. Needless to say, I spent $50 on what easily would have cost $10 from WalMart.

Years ago there was a restaurant called Georgie Pie. They sold the best pies in NZ. McDonalds bought the franchise and shut the whole operation down because Georgie Pie was doing better than McDonalds at the time. After much protest from customers who wanted the pies back, McDonalds now sells the infamous Steak Mince & Cheese at selected McDonalds restaurants in the country. We looked everywhere last night and finally found one up the road. The pies use to be $1 - $2 each. Now they're $4.50 per pie. Spent $20 last night on 4 pies. Again, I'll be happy with Pak n Saves 99c pies from now on.
With food prices like such .. we'll all be eating cardboard real soon.

That aside, this has been a better trip than the last Auckland trip where all I wanted to do was drive home because I missed my lounge.
We tried to trade these three on Facebook last night for Beyoncé tickets.
No takers.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

For about 30 minutes between Taupo and Tokoroa I was graced with an "I need sugar" blood curdling mantra. Someone knew there was candy in the glove box, but couldn't open it. I turned music up loud to drown it out. I opened the windows hoping the freezing air would shut her up, but it only made her repeat it louder and sign it in her made up sign language. I knew she'd eventually give up and ignored it.
Guessed the annoyance yet?
Hubba?
No. My mother.
Arrived safely to sisters house. I facetimed Larell from downstairs and told her we weren't coming anymore. We crept up the stairs and opened the door and she called me a liar after being bummed out for 2 minutes.
Shai and Nessa came with us.
Sister is fat with a boy who will cook for another 7 weeks.
Hope he isn't like his brother. That fool gave me a headache within 10 minutes of arriving.
Last Origin game tonight.
Go NSW!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

I came to a decision, finally, re: Nursing and I'll enroll in the Feb 2014 semester. Setting the wheels in motion now for the application as it requires a Level 2 First Aid Certificate. Concidentally, my brother requires one for work and we'll go at the end of the month to the two day course.

My biggest worry was what I was going to do with the child, but there are enough people to palm her off to during those hours. It's when the placements begin that will cause some issues. Before becoming an RN, you need 1100 hours of practicum over the 3 year degree hence, the placements.

It feels right and I needed this year to figure that out.

In other news .. Tyler passed her restricted NZ license today. I didn't want her to do the driving test on Vecci (but she did) because she's only insured as long as I'm in it with her and I started to worry when the usual 20 minute driving test took 50 minutes. Now she has her own car insurance and new car and no dineros ... growing up. Getting old.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Told her off because she has a tendancy to reset the TV to start her movies over again. I've seen Mulan enough times to quote it.
Woke up to rain. Listened to the radio for half the morning crossing my fingers in hope that the parks would still be opened despite the downpour this week. It was all a go.
Perfect conditions for a rugby game.
It was wet, it was cold and there was mud.
I wore the wrong shoes, didn't have a jacket and came home with a cold.
They played two of the coaches, pictured. The coach with the ball amazed me enough to wonder why they hadn't put him on earlier. Brother told me he isn't supposed to play due to slipped discs in his back. He was awesome.
They totally lost to Havelock. Someone needs to rethink the forwards line because quite frankly, y'all had yourself a suckfest today. I've watched one player in particular all season and I'd like to kick him in the teeth because all he does it complain. 20 minutes into the second half I could clearly see Havelock starting to break ... but MAC didn't take advantage of that break down.
Why?
Because MAC broke first.
Nice form there Wille B (right end).
There was enough water on the field to swim to the try line ................

Friday, July 12, 2013

It's been raining since Tuesday.
Rugby parks have been closed for the junior teams. The Prems teams will look for a private park before cancelling games despite the public parks being closed. I hate the private park they use, but a Saturday without rugby would be like a hot poker to the eye.

The worst thing about this week is that Term 2 of school ends today and it's 2 weeks of holidays. Boo.

Facetime with sister.
Heading up there next week so she'll forgive me for the hideous photo. She's excited. She probably has a calendar on her fridge counting down to Wednesday next week.
Also, the Saudi Arabians are in town tonight. They're on Summer break and flew back to NZ sometime during the week. Excited. They weren't able to make it home for Larry's funeral, but at least they got last July to spend with him.

PS. Richie McCaw plays his first game of club rugby this weekend after coming out of his 7 month sabbatical. Pretty sure Larry won't mind if Richie McCaw wants to be my boyfriend.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Do you know what that means?
Rain for rugby on Saturday. The best games are played in the rain because it makes them work twice as hard and eventually, someone gives up first. Lets hope it's the other team.

In Mormonism, you don't count marriage in years because it's for eternity, but it's based on your righteousness. Three years ago today Larry and I were sealed in the New Zealand temple for time and for all eternity. It was something we thought about for 10 years because after his failed first marriage and my 'Is he worth forever?' attitude - it was much to be decided and sometimes you have to let honesty guide your way despite the 'do it first' advice we're taught. I've seen alot of people be sealed first only to divorce later. Taking that step for ourselves is the one thing that has given me comfort since his death. It's a nice sentiment, but it's a cherishable principle for anyone who loves their spouse and family that much be able to perform.

Just like my brothers certificate from last nights photo, I too have one (not so huge) that hangs over the door to the hallway in my lounge. You can't miss looking up at it everytime you walk into the hallway and it's gentle reminders like that that keep me going.

Heading up to Auckland next week to visit sister. Get your credit card ready Sunshine. We're bestfriends next week ;)

Monday, July 8, 2013

"Can you tell us where the karaoke is?"
"Only if you let me cellotape you together"
The things we do when we're bored.
Cray-see.
The Livians have been sealed for 2 years now, married for 10 or 11. That's their jumbo sealing certificate above the couch in their lounge. They couldn't tell me why they blew it up so huge, but I told them it was a good reminder that they're stuck with their kids forever and ever when they're being stab-yourself-in-the-eye-naughty .. which is daily.
I thought FHE at my house was like trying to fit a watermelon through your nostril .. it's more cramped at The Livians. You may notice we have the same curtains. This is true .. when Michelle told me she got Maison D'or $200 curtains for $60 I had to outdo her and get the same curtains for $40.
No one planned a lesson so we did whatever .. I cooked the whole time. Then we had a FHE Harlem Shake, which I'll put up another day.
Red Velvet cookies for desserts.
They were pure awesome.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

My two older brothers are in Australia. One lives there and the other is there for work and will fly home every so often. The last time we were all together was in 1999 when there were only 2 grandkids. I have not seen my brother Reid (red shirt) for 4 years and now there are 16 grandkids.
Thank goodness for Skype.
It's been a year since Tyler was dunked LDS.
I miss that man in white.
I buried him in the same outfit with a few extras.
I miss that goofy grin.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

You may notice I failed to switch color back on in the camera settings. It's ok ... it wasn't a great game anyway and I did more looking than snapping.
First loss of this round to Taradale, who are lower on the table. One loss is ok. It's another loss that won't be ok. If I may add my 10 cents ... if Taine & Dempsey went on in the first half, we may not be so sad tonight. I'm not saying who you put on instead was a bad move, but I'm not saying it wasn't either.
My Snow White.
People comment about how shes a good mixture of both Larry and I. Our Doctor couldn't believe the resemblence when she saw her on Monday. I hope she's brainy like him. When I ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she says a penguin. With that answer, prospects look slim.
Had a good night at The Livians tonight. We all rocked up there to rain on Michelles parade. Without Olly, I'm sure she enjoyed our company. She can't light a fire to save her life .. if she were a cave woman, she'd fail .. despite her hair resembling a cave womans for the last three Sundays.
I like sleep .. that's where I'm going.